The Woman Who Turned Children into Birds

She made her marks.
She whispered her words.
Then she said,
“Go on. Be happy. Up you go."

When Nanty Solo comes to town, she says she can turn children into birds. The parents are skeptical, but the children want to fly. And before very long, everyone does. A celebratory, lyrical story that will make your heart and imagination soar. Written by internationally acclaimed author David Almond and brought to life in glorious uplifting paintings by award-winning illustrator Laura Carlin.

A beautiful, whimsical, heart-lifting picture book by a writer who makes words soar and an artist with an elegant, unconventional style, about defying rules and daring to fly. -- Nicolette Jones Sunday Times
Almond, as ever, champions flights of the imagination. -- Sally Morris Sally Morris' children's books of the year, Daily Mail
The haunting childlike illustrations by Laura Carlin add to the mysteriousness of it all. -- Melanie McDonagh Evening Standard
a sliver of Nanny McPhee and a strong shadow of Roald Dahl’s favouring of the child view over the cynical adult, this is a beguiling treat. Part fable, part celebration of the limitlessness of childhood imagination, Carlin’s ever-shifting illustrations build an ethereal mood The Best Children's Books of 2022, The Big Issue
The story captures the soaring freedom of imagination, alive to all children, too precious to be forgotten. It’s so beautifully told, the words sparkle, and Laura Carlin’s illustrations are magnificent. Juno
The gentle moral of this story is that it is never too late to search for the things that make you happy in life. Every page is filled with colorful, soft-focus sketches that perfectly compliment the text. SLC Reviews
Carlin's mixed-media illustrations employ a childlike style that features simple shapes, indistinct borders, and effective use of color. [...] While the story details may disturb some, Almond's lyrical text and intriguing ideas offer much food for thought. Booklist
With hints of Roald Dahl and P.L. Travers, Almond’s brief, electrifying tale champions defying convention and embracing risk. Publishers Weekly
If you have ever wondered what it might be like to fly, just like the birds all around us, to see the world from you above, to sprinkle a touch of magic into your life then The Woman Who Turned Children Into Birds will be the book that you will fall in love with. Armadillo Magazine
Full of playful language, there’s a fable like feel to David Almond’s tale and Laura Carlin’s wonderful mixed media illustrations show an aura of light surrounding each transformation as it occurs. A story to revisit over and over with the possibility of new meaning emerging with each reading. Red Reading Hub
gently and stubbornly idealistic about the spirit ready to soar within every child. Just Imagine, Favourite Books of 2022
It’s like being given an idealistic tale that’s secretly been wrapped up in a puzzle-box, and the wrapping is glorious. Just Imagine
Featured in the October Previews -- Charlotte Eyre The Bookseller
This extraordinary masterpiece, interwoven with subtle layers of meaning, is beautifully adorned with Carlin’s unmistakable mixed-media illustrations. It is a true classic that leaves an indelible mark, resonating with its harmonious rhythm and cohesive storytelling. Books for Keeps

David Almond is the acclaimed author of many award-winning novels for children such as Skellig, Kit's Wilderness and My Name Is Mina, and has collaborated with artists Polly Dunbar, Dave McKean and Oliver Jeffers on fiction for younger readers. David's books sell all over the world, and in 2011 he was the recipient of the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award. In 2021, David was awarded the OBE for Services to Literature.

Laura Carlin is a graduate of the Royal College of Art and the winner of several awards, including the V&A Book Illustration Award. Her work has featured in Vogue, the Guardian and The New York Times; her previous books for Walker include The Iron Man by Ted Hughes, which was awarded an honourable mention in the Bologna Ragazzi Award fiction category.

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